Applique Masterpiece

'Affairs of the Heart' is a quilt with 36 appliqud blocks on a black background, each integrating a heart motif in some manner. The blocks are intricate in appearance, yet easy enough to be tackled by novices with basic appliqu skills. Even the experts will find themselves engaged in the delicacy of the exquisite design elements and the vividness of the florals, influenced by the author's Burmese background. Aie (pronounced a) adds scrolls and scallops to her borders. The blocks are a manageable size, so each one can be completed within a single sitting. While the author made the quilt by hand with the needle-turn method, the designs lend themselves to other appliqu methods and could easily be done by machine. Using a variety of fabrics and thread colors gives depth to the design and adds to the vibrancy of the quilt. The author used printed border fabric but includes directions for achieving the same effect with appliqu. AUTHORBIO: An architect by trade, Aie (pronounced like a long A) is also skilled at drawing quilt designs. She began quilting while taking a break from her professional career to raise a family. Originally from Myanmar, formerly called Burma, Aie brings Southeast Asian influence to many of her designs and color schemes. The most recognizable aspects about the quilts she makes are their stylized, scrolled designs appliqued in bright colors on a dark background. REVIEW: Aie Rossmann's Affairs of the Heart is also a winner for all skills levels. Aie Rossmann's applique, guide blends flowing designs with vivid color schemes and almost 40 blocks linked by a heart motif. Choose this for any loving gift for Valentine's Day presentation, accenting the result with the scrolls and scallops recommended within for border accents. -Midwest Book Review